The Caenorhabditis elegans Ephrin EFN-4 Functions Non-cell Autonomously with Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans to Promote Axon Outgrowth and Branching
Department
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Abstract
The Eph receptors and their cognate ephrin ligands play key roles in many aspects of nervous system development. These interactions typically occur within an individual tissue type, serving either to guide axons to their terminal targets or to define boundaries between the rhombomeres of the hindbrain. We have identified a novel role for theCaenorhabditis elegans ephrin EFN-4 in promoting primary neurite outgrowth in AIY interneurons and D-class motor neurons. Rescue experiments reveal that EFN-4 functions non-cell autonomously in the epidermis to promote primary neurite outgrowth. We also find that EFN-4 plays a role in promoting ectopic axon branching in a C. elegansmodel of X-linked Kallmann syndrome. In this context, EFN-4 functions non-cell autonomously in the body wall muscle, and in parallel with HS modification genes and HSPG core proteins. This is the first report of an epidermal ephrin providing a developmental cue to the nervous system.
Journal Title
Genetics
Journal ISSN
1943-2631
Volume
202
Issue
1
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1534/genetics.115.185298